Floating River, the Sword King
Finally, the innkeeper, wiping away sweat and smiling apologetically, saw the customer off.
He started by boasting so much that the spirit swords gave in too quickly. If he hadn't said all the nice things, who knows what that guest would have said about him after he left.
After seeing the male customer off, the innkeeper finally had time to turn his attention back to Sang Ying.
At this moment, although she had been forced to possess the Sword King, the other spirit swords seemed unwilling to give up and were trying to win a chance to stay by her side.
The shopkeeper looked at the group of little devils he usually pampered and fawned over, now all gathered around a young female cultivator, their expressions extremely obsequious, and he felt a pang of heartache.
He quickly stepped forward and brushed aside the spirit swords, forcing a smile as he said to Sang Ying, "This fairy, why don't you come with me to the inner hall downstairs for a few words?"
Judging from his expression, it seemed he wanted to discuss something with Sang Ying.
Sang Ying naturally wouldn't refuse, after all, she was also a little afraid of this group of overly enthusiastic spirit swordsmen.
The shopkeeper led the way, with Sang Ying following behind. Gu Shu, who had been hiding in the bone sword, relied on the fact that he wouldn't be discovered, and secretly directed the bone sword to provoke the Sword King, seemingly determined to knock it off Sang Ying's waist.
But the Sword King, though usually lazy, was no ordinary spirit sword. While dodging Gu Shu's attacks, he was also able to launch a counterattack.
Seeing this, Sang Ying helplessly rubbed her temples and flicked Gu Shu lightly, signaling him to be careful not to cause trouble.
Although Gu Shu was still angry, he listened to Sang Ying and quieted down instantly.
"I'm afraid your days ahead won't be easy." Jiang Zhuoxue, perched on her shoulder, continued to make sarcastic remarks, seemingly quite pleased with Sang Ying's troubles.
The front courtyard of the All Under Heaven Pavilion was where Law Artifact were sold, while the back courtyard served as the living quarters.
The shopkeeper and his staff usually live in this backyard.
He led Sang Ying to a side hall in the backyard and poured her a cup of tea. But even the most ordinary tea would be considered exceptional outside the All Under Heaven Pavilion.
"To be honest, fairy, what you're wearing at your waist now is the masterpiece of our All Under Heaven Pavilion's master swordsmith, and even more so, the sword king of our All Under Heaven Pavilion — Floating River. This was originally just a treasure used to maintain order..."
Sang Ying nodded and immediately disarmed the shopkeeper. "In that case, I won't make things difficult for you."
She raised her hand and returned the spirit sword to the small table next to the shopkeeper. As soon as Sang Ying let go, the sword named Floating River immediately flew back to her waist.
Seeing this, Sang Ying and the shopkeeper fell silent for a moment.
She didn't actually have high requirements for swords; as long as they caught her eye, that was enough. Although the Floating River was nice, it wasn't the one that suited her taste the best, so Sang Ying wasn't fixated on it.
However, Floating River's clinginess to Sang Ying left her feeling rather helpless.
Sensing Sang Ying's predicament, the shopkeeper immediately said, "Please don't misunderstand, fairy. Although the Floating River is precious, it's not something for us at the All Under Heaven Pavilion to break our promise. Since it has chosen you as its master, then this sword belongs to you, and All Under Heaven Pavilion is willing to waive a single penny."
The shopkeeper spoke frankly, but Sang Ying sensed something else in his words.
She asked bluntly, "Do you have any requests for the spirit sword you're giving me?"
The innkeeper chuckled and flattered, "You are indeed exceptionally clever. It's like this, the rule of our All Under Heaven Pavilion is that whenever Sword Master chooses a master, it must be given to that master. But as you can see, all the swords on the third floor have their eyes on you, but you already have Floating River..."
Although I understood what the shopkeeper meant, the way he used the word "taken a fancy to" was rather careless.
Even if he hadn't said it, Sang Ying would have refused those spirit swords anyway.
After all, she only had two hands, and there was nowhere to put so many swords. Besides... if just one Floating River had made Gu Shu so angry, what would happen if there were more?
Sang Ying couldn't even imagine that scene.
"Don't worry about that, shopkeeper. I'm already more than satisfied with the Floating River you gave me," Sang Ying quickly replied.
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He then smiled and said, "I know this matter has wronged you, Fairy, but I should naturally thank you for your magnanimity."
The shopkeeper reached into his sleeve and pulled out a delicate little box, which he presented to Sang Ying with both hands. "This is an auction that my master will be holding soon, right here in Golden Sea City. There will be many rare and precious treasures at the auction. If you have time, you might as well go and take a look; you might just stumble upon something good!"
His last sentence was pointed, as if he was deliberately hinting at something to Sang Ying.
After a moment's thought, she agreed, "If I have time, I will certainly go."
Even if you don't meet someone you like, at least you can see some of the powerful figures in Spirit Prefecture at the auction, which will give you a better understanding of this place.
After the matter was settled, the innkeeper did not keep Sang Ying longer, as she was in a hurry to go back and tidy up the courtyard, and he also had to go out to entertain the guests.
The two quickly parted ways in front of the All Under Heaven Pavilion. On the way back to the courtyard, Jiang Zhuoxue, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said in a cold voice, "Take me with you to this auction."
This was the first time Sang Ying had ever heard him speak with such a cold voice.
"What, is there something you want at the auction?" The invitation the shopkeeper sent to Sang Ying also included a list of some of the items up for auction that day.
However, the names of the three treasures that were to be revealed at the end were not even disclosed, so Sang Ying was not sure which one Jiang Zhuoxue cared about.
Seemingly realizing his attitude was inappropriate, he quickly softened his tone. "Why would a young cultivator think that way? I was simply curious about this auction."
Sang Ying nodded, but she didn't believe a word Jiang Zhuoxue said.
After returning to the courtyard, Jiang Zhuoxue, for the first time ever, took out a Storage Bag from her own internal space and tossed it to Sang Ying.
The space inside the belly is a small space that the divine beast clan has refined on their bodies, and it is no less than a high-level Storage Bag.
This was the first time Sang Ying had seen Jiang Zhuoxue reveal herself.
"What's this?" Sang Ying shook the Storage Bag in her hand.
He quickly wrapped his arm around Sang Ying's wrist. "Naturally, these are the Spirit Stone I've saved up over the years. If you don't have enough at the auction, feel free to use mine."
Hearing that ambiguous tone again, Sang Ying shook him off expressionlessly, but in her heart she was even more certain that there was something wrong with the items in the auction.
As night fell, Golden Sea City presented a different kind of scenery, but the manager of the All Under Heaven Pavilion had no intention of appreciating it at all. He instructed his staff to close the shop quickly and then slipped inside.
The jade-like communication talisman shone brightly, indicating that he was now able to communicate with the other party.
"Master," the shopkeeper greeted respectfully.
A clear, refined male voice came from the other end of the line quickly. "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"
The shopkeeper quickly replied, "The Floating River you left at the All Under Heaven Pavilion has now recognized its master!"
"Oh?" The man on the other end of the communication talisman raised his index finger and tapped it lightly on the armrest. "Who is it?"
"She's a young girl, not very old, and doesn't seem to be from my Immortal Spirit Realm." The shopkeeper had been in Golden Sea City for many years and had exceptional eyesight, so he could naturally see that Sang Ying was out of place in this world.
The man chuckled with amusement, "Then you should keep a close eye on this young lady. If she encounters any trouble, lend a hand if you can. I'm quite curious about what kind of achievements a girl chosen by the Floating River will have in the future."
A note from the author:
Sorry, Sparrow is late!
But I still want to share with you all that my thesis defense went smoothly! Hooray!
I still love you all, Sparrow! ~ Splits and heart emoji JPG